Unlike YouTube or Facebook, Instagram doesn’t pay you for views (unless you’re invited to their Bonus Program, which is very rare). 

Which is why if you want to make money on Instagram, you can’t just bank on creating viral content… you’ll have to get a bit more creative. 

The good news is that you don’t have to guess what makes money.

Thousands of people are making a living on Instagram using pretty simple business ideas. 

In this article, I’m going to go over 17 of these Instagram business ideas, show you how they make money, and also show you what type of content you should be making for each business type — so you’ll have a head start to make things work. 

17 Instagram Business Ideas You Could Start

#1: Product Reviewer

Pick a niche. 

Get some popular or trending products in that niche. 

Then, create reels doing honest reviews of popular products. 

As your account grows, you can work with brands. They’ll pay you to review their products. 

Or, you can get into affiliate marketing, where you get a commission anytime someone buys a product using your special link. 

This is one of the highest-earning businesses to have on Instagram, because manufacturers are always looking for ways to get their products in front of more customers. 

Content Ideas

There are some accounts that are only about product reviews. 

For example, @kydyuzhini found a way to make product reviews both entertaining and informative with his “Trash or Gold” series. 

He takes a popular ad, buys the product, and shows his followers whether it works as advertised (or if it’s “trash”). 

Meanwhile, other people bake product reviews into their regular content. 

They first build a loyal following, and then recommend the products that they use. 

How to Make it Work

To make this work, you have to earn the trust of your viewers. 

If people sense some bias in your reviews, they’re NOT going to trust what you say. 

That’s why accounts that are solely about product reviews are very brutal when things don’t work as advertised. That’s how they build trust. 

For mixed content creators, you really have to work on building trust with your audience outside of the product reviews. So that when it’s time to show a sponsored product, people are more likely to buy it. 

#2: Personal Trainer

Good personal trainer accounts are extremely inspirational. They light up that desire for people to do better with their fitness. 

And when people are ready to take the next step, they’re sure to buy your 6-week training program, your personalized fitness plans, or even an in-person 1-on-1 coaching session. 

Content Ideas

There are dozens of posts you can make for a fitness account, such as:

• DIY Home Workouts — give people quick and easy workouts that they can do at home. 
• Stop Making This Mistake! — correcting common workout mistakes.
• Before and After — show what you were like before your fitness journey, and after.
• Simple Fixes — if people have lower-back pain, do this. If people feel tired when waking up, do this. etc. 

The goal is to be a mix of helpful and inspirational. 

How to Make it Work

Some people think that holding back on your free content will tempt people to buy your paid program/coaching. 

But on Instagram, you’re up against thousands of top-level free content. Holding back will just slow you down. 

So post high-quality content consistently (ideally every day) over the long haul, and just like fitness, the gains will come eventually. 

#3: Foodie

Being a foodie is one of the most fun Instagram businesses to run. 

Taste food, give it a review, grow your following, and restaurants will start asking you to try their food. 

It’s not the easiest niche to make money on, but if you have a big following, restaurants will pay you top dollar for your reels. 

Content Ideas

“Foodie” by itself is way too broad; you’ll want to niche down. 

The most successful foodie accounts all have a theme, such as: 

• @1hourlunchbreak — trying lunch spots in the car. Acting like he only has a 1-hour break. 
• @jacksdiningroom — trying the “best” and craziest foods around. 
• @hrhgeorgiana — more luxurious foods, with a strong preference for oysters. 

You can also go local. 

Think about trying and rating all the pizza shops in New York, or all the BBQ spots in Texas. 

How to Make it Work

This is one of those niches where character goes a long way.

Anyone can try food, but few people can make others want to try it as well. 

So be your authentic self, and let your character shine as you try all the unique foods around you. 

#4: Pet Account

One of the craziest business models I’ve seen on Instagram is when people create a pet account and monetize it. 

You’re not the influencer in this model — your pet is. 

So keep posting cute pictures and reels, and try to attract those pet brands that are dying to advertise their products. 

You can monetize by doing sponsored posts or by affiliate marketing! 

Content Ideas 

“Cuteness” is super important when it comes to pet accounts, but it’s more than just that. 

Instead, try mixing in other engaging, relatable, and helpful content, such as:

• A day in the life of my pet
• Taking my pet to the vet for the first time
• Trying to make my pet take his pills

And a whole load of cute content that’s sure to get likes and shares. 

How to Make it Work

Have you ever seen an ugly dog? 

Neither have I. 

So don’t just post your pet, because that’s what everyone’s doing. Instead, let your pet’s personality shine. 

Mix in helpful and relatable content, and you should be on your way to growing on Instagram (and getting those brand deals). 

#5: Photographer

Every photographer needs a portfolio, and Instagram is one of the best portfolios you can have. 

Why?

Aside from having all your work in one place, it also spreads your photos to hundreds of thousands of people. 

Once you grow your account, you can then get gigs, sell your photos to someone, or take a stab at photography coaching. 

Content Ideas

The tricky part about photography is that Instagram is heavily prioritizing reels, NOT single-photo posts. 

So you’ll have to get creative. 

Check out how this creator went viral using a before-and-after reel. 

Or how this creator turned an epic shot into a reel. 

You can also use carousels (these have MUCH better reach than single-photo posts). Just make sure to add in trending audio so that your carousels can be found in Instagram’s explore page. 

How to Make it Work

Epic photos. 

You don’t need a bright character or to look good on camera — you just need to make sure your photos POP. 

If you can do this, don’t be surprised if your inbox gets flooded with people wanting your services. 

#6: Travel Vlogger

One of the most exciting niches you can go for on Instagram is travel vlogging. 

However, there are a LOT of travel vloggers who don’t make a single penny from what they do. 

If you want to turn this into a business, you’ll need to think like a business person. 

Reach out to hotels, ask for sponsored stays. Talk with tourism boards. Make deals with airlines or eSIM companies. 

Don’t just post your travels, think strategically and make partnerships with travel brands. 

Content Ideas

Don’t make it obvious when you’re doing sponsored content. 

That’s a surefire way to get people to swipe away your sponsored reels, and for your sponsors to be disappointed with the results. 

One trick you can use is to do a couple of hotel reels WITHOUT being sponsored. That way, your audience warms up to the idea that you do like showcasing hotels. 

Also, when a sponsored stay comes along, your follower base won’t feel like you’re selling out. It just matches your content perfectly. 

Meanwhile, tourism boards are a LOT of fun to work with, because showcasing places is what you do naturally anyway. But getting these gigs can be tough, so you’ll have to reach out to them and show what you can do for them. 

How to Make it Work

Reach out like crazy. 

Remember, there are thousands of travel vloggers out there. It’s MUCH more difficult for companies to find the right vloggers than it is for vloggers to find companies. 

So if you see a company that’s the perfect match, reach out, make a deal, and make things happen. 

Don’t wait for them to come to you. 

#7: Social Media Manager

If you don’t want to make money from your own Instagram, why not make money by managing someone else’s account?

There’s a HUGE demand for people who know how to grow an account. 

So if you know your way around Instagram’s crazy algorithm, try offering Social Media Management services, and you’ll be surprised how many people need it. 

Content Ideas

Give advice. 

People who are trying to grow an account will stick around and listen to reels telling them how to do it. 

Not only will they get something from your reels, but you’re also positioning yourself as an Instagram expert. 

So when they decide it’s all too much and they’d rather get a manager, guess who they’d contact?

Why… you of course! 

How to Make it Work

This is another business where it’s best to niche down. 

Choose a specific target audience. 

Is it local business owners trying to get more foot traffic? Coaches trying to get more students? Travelers trying to start a travel vlog? 

Once you choose a specific target audience, they’re much more likely to listen to what you have to say since you’re talking to THEM and only them. 

#8: Meme Lord

This might sound crazy, but being a meme lord is actually a business model. 

You can make money by posting memes!

However, it’s not easy. 

Meme pages can only make money if they have tremendous amounts of views and followers. 

But once you have that, you can start reaching out to companies and offering ad space in your memes. 

Content Ideas

Memes are just that… memes. 

So find ways to make people laugh. Create content that’s super shareable. And if you take off, sponsors will come knocking. 

For example, check out how @couplesnote posts nothing but memes, but has their sponsor (Fashion Nova) in their bio and description of their reels. 

How to Make it Work

Consistency. 

Remember, there are thousands of memes on Instagram. 

You need to stand out as one of the most consistent meme pages on the platform. 

So find the funniest takes, and keep posting every single day, and your following will grow as the views and shares pile up. 

#9: Language Teacher

Some people think they have nothing to teach.

But the truth is… if you can speak a language properly (just ONE language), then you can teach it to thousands of people who want to learn. 

So post quick lessons, and make sure you have a course to sell to people who want to study more seriously. You can also monetize by offering tutoring services. 

Content Ideas

This might surprise you, but some language teachers get millions of views on Instagram. 

Check out this guy, for example. 

The content is just super simple English lessons that are not only helpful, but they’re also catchy and bingeable. 

Using a whiteboard or flashcards can be extremely helpful to make your mini-lessons get more reach. 

How to Make it Work

Don’t be boring. 

Yes, learning a language is a serious endeavor. 

But on Instagram?

Things have to be quick and catchy. Otherwise, your content will get drowned out by all the flashy reels. 

#10: E-commerce

Another great way to make money on Instagram is to sell things. 

While Instagram doesn’t let you sell directly on the app like TikTok, several third-party platforms (such as Stanstore) allow you to sell from your link-in-bio. Or, you can always link your followers to your Shopify or Wix store. 

You can either sell your own products or do dropshipping, where you sell items from a supplier who ships directly to your customer. 

Content Ideas

The goal is to make your product look irresistible. 

Not in a boring, “buy this NOW!” type of way. But in a way that shows people how their life will change once they get your product. 

So think of content ideas like:

• Before and After Reels – show the transformation or the benefit your product gives.
• Unboxing Videos – people love seeing what they’re getting before they buy.
• “How It Works” Demos – short clips showing your product solving a real problem.
• Customer Testimonials – quick video reviews from happy buyers.
• Behind-the-Scenes – show how your products are made, packaged, or designed.

Showcase what your product can do, and people will be eager to buy it.

How to Make it Work

Avoid coming off as “corporate,” or like you’re a store. 

People generally don’t like following brands. They like following people. 

So, aside from showcasing your product, show the person behind the product as well. Be relatable.

#11: Artist

People say there’s no money in art. 

But Instagram begs to differ. 

Many artists have built successful businesses on the platform by selling prints, creating commissioned pieces, designing merch, or offering digital downloads, such as coloring books. 

Content Ideas

Again, single-picture posts are no longer doing well on Instagram. 

So, how do you showcase your art on reels? 

• Time-lapse Reels – show your art coming to life from blank canvas to masterpiece.
• Sketch to Final – before-and-after transitions of your work.
• Behind the Scenes – share your workspace, tools, or art routine.
• Art Challenges – join trends or hashtag challenges to get discovered.
• Tutorials & Tips – teach small, digestible lessons (like shading, anatomy, or color mixing).

Or, you can join this popular trend for artists on Instagram. 

You can even share your personal stories about what inspired a particular piece. 

How to Make it Work

Great art is attractive, so getting views and followers shouldn’t be super difficult.

However, the tricky part is getting people to buy your products or commission your work. 

So make it as easy as possible for them. 

Set up a print shop, and add the link in your bio. Always mention that you’re accepting commissioned work. 

And stay consistent. Remember, there are lots of art pieces out there, but only you have your unique style. 

#12: Cook / Baker

Enjoy cooking?

Why not turn that passion into an Instagram business? 

People love learning new recipes online, so growing a following isn’t too hard. 

Then, you can sell homemade treats to your local audience, cookbooks, and online cooking/baking classes. 

You can also partner up with brands selling cookware and do sponsored posts or affiliate marketing. 

Content Ideas

Recipes are the most obvious content for cooks and bakers. 

But how do you stand out? 

Aside from just showing the recipe, make sure you add some of your personality. 

Check out these popular cooking accounts, and notice how they all have their own unique spin:

• @futurecanoe — recreating recipes and showing what really happens. All with deadpan humor. 
• @patrickzeinali — popular for his easy recipes that only take 2-3 ingredients. 
• @nick.digiovanni — super popular chef. Makes extremely entertaining reels while selling his salt brand. 

So think about adding a unique spin. If you can think up a unique series, you’ll also get a ton of content to post. 

How to Make it Work

Don’t be afraid to add your personality. 

Yes, people might find you because of your recipes, but the real way to build a loyal following is through your personality. 

If you’re selling products, make sure it’s easy for your followers to find them. Add links in bio, and always mention it in your videos. 

If you’re doing sponsored content, make sure you reach out to brands! Don’t wait for them to come to you; reach out and start a fruitful partnership from there. 

#13: Life Coach

If you’re into relationships, psychology, or personal growth, being an Instagram life coach can be a great business idea. 

You can create a course and sell that online, create exclusive group sessions, or you can offer 1-on-1 coaching sessions. 

So many people want to do more with their lives, and if you show them how to get there, they’ll gladly work with you. 

Content Ideas

You don’t need anything fancy to create content in this space. 

Instead, authenticity, vulnerability, and some good content hooks are all you need.

Here are some ideas:

• Mini pep talks – short, motivational reels that speak to people’s real struggles.
• Common Mistakes – “3 signs you’re stuck in a toxic cycle” or “Why your morning routine isn’t working.”
• Mindset Shifts – show people a new way of looking at a problem.
• Client Transformations – (with permission) share success stories to inspire others.
• Behind the Scenes – show what being a coach really looks like — the real, unpolished moments.

Do these well, and people will listen to you over all the noise of social media. 

How to Make it Work

Trust is absolutely crucial in this space. 

So avoid hard sells. Build up a strong community first, and gently introduce to them that you also do 1-on-1 or group sessions. 

If people sense that you’re just doing this for the money, it’ll be difficult for them to trust and open up to you. 

#14: Real Estate Agent

Many real estate agents try to start Instagram accounts, but fall flat. 

Instagram isn’t exactly a marketplace where people go to find houses. 

However, done right, you can catch a ton of leads from here. You just need to know what you’re doing…

Content Ideas

The secret to making your real estate account work is by niching down and making your content fun. 

Take @fortheloveofoldhouses as an example. 

They specialize in showcasing old homes and are not too far away from a million followers. 

Why?

Because they know that tons of people like old houses — even people who aren’t ready to buy one just yet. 

But they don’t stop them from viewing. 

And eventually, their unique angle leads them to the right people who have the money to buy. 

How to Make it Work

Don’t be boring. 

Accept that the vast majority of your viewers on Instagram aren’t going to buy a house anytime soon. 

But if you keep showing up, it won’t be long before someone sends you a serious inquiry.

#15: Influencer

Almost everyone on Instagram is an influencer for their niche. 

But there are some people who are super influential, even if they don’t have a specific niche. 

They’ve built such strong personal brands that people follow them simply because they like their personality, lifestyle, or vibe — not necessarily for one topic.

Brands love people like this. 

Because influencers are so… why… influential… brand deals come easy. 

Brands want to show that influential people use their products. This is why they drop thousands of dollars to work with influencers. 

Content Ideas

The best influencers make their followers feel like close friends. You can do that by posting:

• Day-in-the-life reels — share snippets of your daily routine, travels, or random thoughts.
• Mini vlogs — quick montages of your day, paired with trending sounds.
• Storytime posts — talk about funny, relatable, or emotional experiences.
• Lifestyle tips — anything from fashion and wellness to productivity or mindset.
• Collaborations — work with other creators to grow your reach.

The trick is to make everyday life look interesting (or at least feel relatable.)

How to Make it Work

Here’s the truth:

Being an influencer without a specific niche is hard. 

But if you have a magnetic personality, give it a go! 

If you have a strong on-camera presence and love sharing your life, becoming an influencer might be the perfect path for you.

#16: Comedian

One of the funniest ways you can make money on Instagram is comedy. 

People on Instagram LOVE humor. 

Funny reels are some of the most shared on the platform. 

But how do you stand out from all the jokes and memes? 

And how can you pivot from sharing jokes on Instagram to getting people to show up at your show? 

Content Ideas

One of the most brilliant comedy content ideas is sharing the crowd work section of your shows. 

This format was mostly popularized by Andrew Schulz on YouTube. But nowadays, every comedian is doing this on Instagram, and some of these reels get millions upon millions of views. 

Such as this crowd work by Matt Rife. 

Showing your crowd work is great because you don’t give up your main material, but you display how quick-witted you are. Enticing people to show up for your actual show. 

How to Make it Work

Post consistently, even short bits, reactions, or funny takes about trending topics. 

You don’t always need a perfect punchline; sometimes, your personality is the funniest part.

Use your reels to build recognition, not just laughs. The goal is for people to see your face and instantly think, “Oh, that’s the guy who does those hilarious crowd clips.”

And most importantly, keep testing jokes online. Instagram is the fastest feedback loop you’ll ever get — if a joke kills in the comments, it’ll probably kill on stage, too.

#17: Digital Products

One of the smartest ways to make money on Instagram is by selling digital products. 

This way, you don’t have to worry about inventory, shipping, replacements, and all the problems of physical products. 

Best of all?

It doesn’t matter what niche you’re in; there’s a digital product you can sell! 

So create it, add the link to your bio, and find ways to promote on Instagram. 

Content Ideas

The key to selling a digital product is not to directly advertise it, but instead to speak to your target customer’s pain points. 

Once you’ve built authority, people will naturally ask, “What do I do next?”

That’s where your digital product comes in. 

Here are some content ideas: 

• “How-To” Reels — teach small, actionable tips related to your product.
• Behind the Scenes — show how you made your product (like designing your template or outlining your eBook).
• Problem → Solution — start with a problem your audience faces, then show how your product solves it.
• Testimonials & Results — share screenshots, reviews, or success stories from people who’ve used your product.
• Freebies — give away small versions or sneak peeks to attract buyers and build trust.

Mix these with other helpful content in your niche, and you should start building a following. 

How to Make it Work

Pick a specific problem to solve. 

Build a super helpful product around it. 

And gear your Instagram marketing towards people who have this problem. 

If you find the right people, sales will come flowing in naturally. 

What It Takes to Make These Business Ideas Successful

Regardless of what business you choose, the key to success is getting views and gaining followers. 

Even if you have an amazing product, no one’s going to buy if they don’t find your account. 

That’s why, no matter what business you choose, you should create awesome content. 

How? 

Here’s a quick guide to a great reel:

1. Master the Hook — the first 3 seconds of your reel are the most important. If you can’t get people to stop scrolling, no one will stick around to see your whole message. So make your hook as catchy, shocking, or relatable as possible, so people will stick around. 

2. Hold People’s Attention — once you’ve hooked them in, you’ll want to keep them watching until the end. Use formats that are proven to work, cut away any fluffy on your reels, and make every second worth a watch. Otherwise, people will continue scrolling. 

3. End With a Bang — the payoff of your reel should be so strong, people will be compelled to take action (whether that’s sharing your reel, following you, or even heading to your bio to buy your product). The key is to make people feel something at the end — whether that’s inspired, feeling seen, feeling smart, relief, or any other feeling. 

4. Clear CTAs — even if your hook, script, and end are super strong, nothing will happen if you don’t tell people what you want them to do next. So add a clear Call to Action at the end of your reel, or in your description. Spoon-feed people what they should do next, so it’ll be easy for them. 

To learn more, check out my full post on How to Go Viral. 

Ready to Create an Instagram Business?

Thousands of people are making a living from Instagram. 

If you know what you’re doing, it’s easily one of the most profitable platforms today. 

So pick a business, and start building your account!

But here’s the thing:

The HARDEST part of starting an Instagram business is getting your first few followers. 

So if you’d like a big boost and to hit the ground running, then check out our Instant Viral Templates, where we share 60 reel templates you can use to get started. 

Check it out here!